Yahoo! Games

Latest Headlines

Olivier Giroud scored a beautiful long range goal not too long after coming on as a second half substitute in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.

The Frenchman, reportedly not up to his best at last weekend's Emirates Cup, has been given a reduced workload leading up to the regular season opener in hopes he will be fully recovered from France's World Cup run. It seems likely he will be ready for the start of the season next Saturday and his beauty of a goal will have his confidence high headed in to that match.

Jordon Ibe has been ruled out for between 3-4 weeks after the Liverpool youngster damaged lateral knee ligaments during last Thursdays’ Europa League game against Besiktas.

Ibe has been a revelation since his return from Derby County where the 19 year-old was so impressive during his four month stint that Brendan Rodgers chose to execute an early release clause in his season long loan deal. Although his absence will be felt, Liverpool can at least call upon the services of Alberto Moreno to fill the void during the interim while Jose Enrique offers a slightly different option once fit. The Reds are hoping to make it 4 straight wins on Wednesday [and 12 unbeaten] as they attempt to break into the European places. Mamadou Sakho and Glen Johnson have a chance of facing Burnley while Steven Gerrard is also "very close."

Christian Benteke's last-gasp penalty gave Tim Sherwood his first points as Aston Villa manager with victory over West Brom at Villa Park.

There are big moments, and then there are really big moments. Aston Villa played well in the first half and took a deserved early lead through Gabby Agbonlahor but they failed to add the vital second goal while dominating and very nearly paid the price. Saido Berahino equalised for the Baggies from close range with 25 minutes remaining and the match looked to be heading for a draw, until Ben Foster brought down Matthew Lowton in injury time. Up stepped Christian Benteke, and the Belgian calmly slotted the penalty away - his first goal of 2015 - to hand Tim Sherwood's side an absolutely massive three points, ending a run of seven consecutive defeats. This could be the turning point as the Villans move up to 17th place, with West Brom five points ahead in 13th.

Saido Berahino's goal wasn't enough for West Brom as they went down to a last minute defeat at rivals Aston Villa.

Berahino's 18th goal of the season looked to have extended Aston Villa's run to 13 league games without victory after he equalised Gabriel Agbonlahor's first-half strike, but the Baggies couldn't hold on. Keeper Ben Foster fouled Matt Lowton in injury time and Christian Benteke converted the resulting penalty to leave Tony Pulis' team pointless.

Dame N'Doye returned to the Hull City starting line-up in Week 28 and made a major impact but couldn't power his team to victory as they drew with Sunderland 1-1.

Dame N'Doye was difficult for Sunderland to handle all evening. His first half goal was a thing of beauty as he redirected a hard-driven cross into the back of the Black Cats' net with a deft back heel. Sunderland equalized through Jack Rodwell in the second half. N'Doye had a chance to score the winner but could only put his headed chance straight into the gut of Costel Pantilimon.

A Sadio Mane late goal gave Southampton three points over Crystal Palace.

Southampton were the better team of the day, attacking almost the entire match and creating a lot of chances. Their chances weren't world class, but they were certainly many, and Mane was able to convert with just a few minutes to go and give them the lead. This is the second time in a month that Mane has been able to score a game winning goal and he should be owned in almost all fantasy leagues. The win was an important one for Southampton as they've had a bit of bad luck lately. This results keeps them in the fight for fourth place and Ronald Koeman will surely be pleased.

Jack Rodwell was in the middle of just about everything as Sunderland came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Hull City at the KC Stadium.

Rodwell got his manager sent to the stands when he took a dive in the first half. Guy Poyet got into it with Steve Bruce on the sidelines and the officials saw fit to sent the embattled manager to the stands for the balance of the game. Rodwell redeemed himself in the second half as he headed home a Patrick van Aanholt cross for the final 1-1 score. Even Rodwell's goal wasn't without controversy as there was a hint of it hitting him on the arm after it came off his head.

Francis Coquelin is questionable for Arsenal's trip across London after suffering a head injury in a collision with Olivier Giroud in the 2-0 over Everton on Sunday.

The extent of Francis Coquelin's injury is still being evaluated. He could require surgery that would keep him out for Week 28 and possibly beyond. He could also be ready to go in Week 28 with the assistance of a protective face mask. With Arsenal not playing until Wednesday, only fantasy managers who can make changes right up until that team's matches start should consider Coquelin for their line-up. Even then, they should only do so if they have a credible alternative to substitute in whose match starts at the same time as Arsenal's on Wednesday.

After being rested for Week 27 against Everton, Per Mertesacker may be rested again for Week 28 in order to give him an extended rest.

Per Mertesacker looked rotten against Monaco last mid-week in Champions League action and overuse has been called out as the biggest reason given how frequently the German started for Arsenal after playing for the entire World Cup. To make the rest a meaningful one, it seems likely that Gabriel will start a second consecutive match as Arsenal travel to Loftus Road on Wednesday. The rotation has not been made official anywhere but it makes sense given what we saw from Mertesacker.

Phil Jones missed the visit of Sunderland over the weekend with an illness but should be ready to go again for the mid-week trip to St. James' Park.

Jonny Evans deputized for Jones against the Black Cats but it seems likely that Jones will return to the starting line-up now that he has recovered. Newcastle's form has been up and down so the value of Jones, Evans or any of United's defenders is definitely a hard thing to quantify even in the presence of certain starters. Given that there is at least some doubt over who will start with Jones and Luke Shaw both fit again.

Jon Walters' ongoing knee issues may keep him out of Stoke City's Wednesday match with Everton in Week 28.

With Walters still questionable it will likely fall to Peter Crouch or Marko Arnautovic to partner Mame Biram Diouf. Stoke City are struggling with injuries all over the pitch to key players. Beyond Walters' injury they will be missing Bojan, Bojan's replacement Stephen Ireland, Ryan Shawcross, and Marc Muniesa. Ordinarily, the Potters are a strong bet against fellow mid-table opponents when playing at the Britannia but in this weakened state they should be treated as less of a strong bet.

Kieran Richardson and Aly Cissokho will both miss out on a second consecutive match as Aston Villa host Midlands rivals West Brom on Tuesday.

Matt Lowton is likely to deputize again as Villa and new manager Tim Sherwood find themselves down to their third choice behind KRich and Cissokho. The Tuesday match takes on added importance over and above the bitter rivalry. With Villa continuing to spend time in the relegation zone three points are critical to survival over and above local bragging rights.